WUF: 150 countries gather in Naples for UN event

President Napolitano expected for opening ceremony

(ANSAMed) - NAPLES, JULY 9 - Naples will play host to 5,000
delegates from over 150 countries that will take part in the
World Urban Forum (WUF) here September 1-6.

The event is organized by UN Habitat, the Nairobi-based agency
that deals with human settlements around the world.
So far, 3,378 delegates have confirmed. Of these, 956 from
Nigeria, 143 from Kenya, 112 from Uganda and 109 from Ghana.

Italy will send 143 delegates, the US is sending 135, India will
send 104 and Iran, 101.
''We're expecting 4 or 5 heads of state,'' organizer Umberto
Siola said. ''And we're hoping that President Napolitano will
preside at the opening ceremony September 3.''
September 1 will be the opening of the pavilions at the Mostra
d'Oltremare, while September 2 will be dedicated to women and
youth within the context of urban development. The opening
ceremony on September 3 will be followed by a meeting of world
mayors, among them the mayor of Jakarta, and closing ceremonies
will be on September 6.

While relatively few Arab delegates are coming, there has been
an interest from Dubai and Saudi Arabia, and these might also
bring interesting business proposals to local entrepreneurs,
Siola said.
The Campania region and Naples city will also participate, as
will Naples province, all of which are organizing events
centering on urbanization and the problems of contemporary
metropolises.
Among these, student debates in local universities, a forum on
public versus private roles in urban transformation with the
Consortium of Wholesale Retailers (CIS) President Gianni Punzo,
and a conference with internationally renowned architects such
as Oriol Bohigas and historians such as Kenneth Frampton,
organized by the Academy of San Luca. (ANSAMed).